PHOTOS: Australia vs New Zealand, Champions Trophy

Skipper Bailey made a patient 55

The Champions Trophy Group A match between Australia and New Zealand at Edgbaston on Wednesday was abandoned due to rain.

New Zealand were 51 for two in 15 overs chasing Australia's 243 for eight when heavy showers forced the umpires to call for the covers. Kane Williamson was batting on 18 and giving him company was Ross Taylor on eight.

However, it was Glenn Maxwell's cameo towards the end that propped up Australia's run rate and took the score past 240. Maxwell remained unbeaten on 29 off 22 balls and hit two sixes and a four. He added 24 runs of a mere 14 balls with Clint Mckay for the ninth-wicket.

As far as specialist batsmen were concerned, Voges and Bailey were the ones to have made noteworthy contributions for Australia, who desperately need a win to keep their chances of securing a semifinal berth alive.

The duo shared 77 runs in 16 overs for the fourth wicket after Australia were reduced to 74 for three in the 19th over on an Edgbaston pitch that's not really tailormade for strokemaking.

Image: Australia's George Bailey (left) hits out watched by New Zealand's Ross Taylor and Luke Ronchi (front R) during the ICC Champions Trophy group A match at EdgbastonPhotographs: REUTERS/Philip Brown

Watson made just five

Sent into bat, Australia were off to a disastrous start as they lost two wickets, including the important one of Shane Watson, with just 10 runs on the board.

Watson managed to score just five runs.

Bailey along with opener Matthew Wade -- playing in place of David Warner who was axed from the playing XI on disciplinary ground -- added 64 runs for the third wicket to stabilise Australia's innings.

Image: Australia's Shane Watson leaves the field after being dismissedPhotographs: REUTERS/Philip Brown